White House hopeful Beto O’Rourke on Friday unveiled a sweeping proposal to combat white nationalism that calls for tightening gun laws and making stamping out white supremacy a top priority for federal law enforcement agencies.

​“Congress’ failure to act has resulted in a democracy that is unwilling to confront an epidemic of gun violence," O'Rourke said. "It’s time for those in positions of public trust to stand up, tell the truth and offer bold solutions without fear of political ramifications so we can finally start making progress and saving lives.”

Beto O'Rourke, former Representative from Texas and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, greets supporters during a campaign re-launch on August 15, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. O'Rourke paused his campaign in order to return to El Paso following the act of terror targeting the city's Latinx community at a Walmart to honor the legacy of the twenty-two people who lost their lives and provide support to the community.(Photo: Sandy Huffaker, Getty Images)

While O’Rourke stepped away from overt campaigning in the days following the shooting rampage, he’s repeatedly lashed out at President Trump, arguing the commander-in-chief was responsible for inciting the El Paso violence through his anti-immigrant rhetoric.

O'Rourke went after the president again on Friday.

“The terrorist attack on El Paso, fueled by the racist rhetoric of Donald Trump, was not only an attack on America, but an attack on the aspirational ideals of this nation,” O’Rourke said.

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People arrive at MacArthur Elementary looking for family and friends as the school is being used a re-unification center during the aftermath of a shooting at the Walmart in the Cielo Vista Mall area Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. Briana Sanchez, El Paso Times/ USA TODAY Network

People arrive at MacArthur Elementary looking for family and friends as the school is being used a re-unification center during the aftermath of a shooting at the Walmart in the Cielo Vista Mall area Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. Briana Sanchez, El Paso Times/ USA TODAY Network

Kendall Long, left, comforts Kianna Long who was in the freezer section of a Walmart during a shooting incident, in El Paso, Tx. on Aug. 3, 2019. Reports state that at least 10 people have been killed and 30 are injured. Police say that one male suspect is in custody. Ivan Pierre Aguirre, EPA-EFE

Friends, family members, and strangers on Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas at MacArthur School Elementary-Intermediate School. A family reunification site was set up at MacArthur School for friends and families missing loved ones after the shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Red Cross official Colin Williams said approximately 25 people stayed overnight. Madeleine Cook, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network

Friends, family members, and strangers on Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas at MacArthur School Elementary-Intermediate School. A family reunification site was set up at MacArthur School for friends and families missing loved ones after the shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Madeleine Cook, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network

People hug outside of MacArthur School Elementary-Intermediate School on Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. A family reunification site has been designated at the site for friends and families missing loved ones after the shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Madeleine Cook, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network

Phlebotomist Yaranely Armendariz draws blood from Sarah Bolanos on Aug., 4, 2019, at the United Blood Services in east El Paso, Texas. The response for blood has been so high they’ve had to turn away donors and make appointments for a later date. Mark Lambie, El Paso Times via USA TODAY Network

Two women hug on Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas at MacArthur School Elementary-Intermediate School. A family reunification site was set up at MacArthur School for friends and families missing loved ones after the shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Madeleine Cook, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network

In his proposal released Friday, O’Rourke says he wants to force social media and internet hosts to be more proactive in thwarting white supremacists from promoting violence.

The former congressman also said he would move to require large internet platforms to bolster terms of service to prevent the spread of violence-inspiring invective. He wants Congress to amend the Communications Decency Act, so that domain name servers and social media platforms could be potentially held liable if they are found to knowingly promote content that incites violence.

“Beto is calling on internet hosting companies to follow Cloudfare’s lead to not allow 8chan back online and supports the closure of 8chan, Stormfront and other white nationalist communities housed on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter,” according to a memo distributed to reporters by his campaign.

President Donald Trump said he is talking with congressional leaders and considering tougher background checks for gun buyers.
USA TODAY

If elected, O’Rourke said he will identify white nationalism as a threat in counterterrorism strategy and create dedicated domestic terrorism offices within Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and the FBI.

In May, the head of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, Michael McGarrity, testified that the bureau was investigating 850 domestic terrorism cases and that, of those, about 40% involved racially motivated violent extremists. Most in that group, he said, involved white supremacists, according to NPR.

He’s proposing nationwide gun licensing system that would require owners of firearms to renew their licensing every five years.

O’Rourke is also calling for the expansion of background checks, banning the sale of military-style assault weapons and implementing federal red-flag laws that would allow law enforcement “to petition in federal courts to have weapons removed from those who present a danger to themselves or others, including white nationalists planning to perpetrate a hate crime.”